While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

"The two of you are quite in sync on this point."

One by one, they all embarked on the path of becoming hands-off managers.

A thought suddenly flashed through Xu Chuan's mind.

Nibelungen, the first absentee ruler of Teyvat, has now had his ashes scattered.

The second absentee boss, Fanes, is still hopelessly addicted to sleeping.

Even when the throne of the water god was smashed and Frostmoon was pulled back to Teyvat, he remained unmoved, which is hardly any different from being dead.

Xu Chuan couldn't help but think to himself: It seems that being a hands-off manager in Teyvat is a high-risk endeavor.

Zhong Li remained noncommittal in response to Xu Chuan's teasing.

The two chatted for a few minutes, talking about trivial things.

"Lord Xu Chuan." A familiar voice came from behind.

Xu Chuan turned around and saw Gan Yu standing not far away.

"Lady Ningguang invites you," she said. "She would like to invite you to a gathering at Qunyu Pavilion."

Zhong Li glanced at Xu Chuan and nodded slightly: "Go."

The Jade Pavilion hangs above Liyue Harbor, casting a huge shadow in the morning light.

The elevator platform slowly rose, and the entire view of Liyue Harbor unfolded before our eyes, taking in everything.

Xu Chuan stood at the edge of the platform, holding onto the railing, looking down at the city below.

Ningguang stood in the center of the square of Qunyu Pavilion, dressed in gorgeous clothes with her long hair falling to her shoulders.

Two secretaries stood behind her, one on each side, holding account books and pens.

Seeing Xu Chuan walk up from the elevator platform, she stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Your Excellency Xu Chuan," she said, her tone more formal than usual, "I apologize for this presumptuous invitation."

"You're too kind, Lady Ningguang." Xu Chuan cupped his hands in greeting.

Ningguang turned around and walked towards the reception room deep in the square. Xu Chuan followed behind, his pace neither fast nor slow.

After taking her seat, Ningguang did not exchange pleasantries.

"Lord Xu Chuan once delivered diplomatic correspondence on behalf of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt." She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said in a calm and unhurried tone, "Now that I've heard that you're going to Mondstadt, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Xu Chuan raised an eyebrow.

"To be honest, I'm ashamed to say this." Ningguang put down her teacup and placed her hands on her knees. "Regarding the Qunyu Pavilion matter, Ningguang still owes you a favor, and now..."

She didn't continue, but a hint of apology appeared on her face.

Xu Chuan was stunned for a moment.

Goodness, karma comes so fast?

He had entrusted Xiao to act as his messenger, and then Ningguang came looking for him.

"Please speak, Lord Ningguang." He did not refuse.

"Although Liyue and Mondstadt are on good terms, some things are too formal to handle through diplomatic channels, and not safe enough to handle through private channels."

Ningguang raised her head and looked directly at Xu Chuan. "I would like to ask you to convey some messages to Commander Qin in my personal capacity."

"What message?"

Ningguang did not answer immediately.

She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant sea.

“Liyue has experienced too many changes.” Her voice softened.

"The Emperor has passed away, the Demon God has broken free of his seal, and the Fools are secretly causing trouble... We need allies."

"Not the kind of allies who only call each other friendly on paper, but true allies who can trust and support each other."

She turned around and looked at Xu Chuan.

"Mondstadt is the best choice."

Xu Chuan remained silent for a moment.

"I will pass on the message to Commander Qin."

Ningguang's lips curled up slightly.

"Thank you." She paused. "In return, the doors of Qunyu Pavilion will always be open to you."

Xu Chuan was stunned for a moment.

"Permanent residency in Qunyu Pavilion, this is no small gift."

Chapter 142 Joke Becomes Reality

"Permanent residency in Qunyu Pavilion?"

Xu said this jokingly.

He believed that his relationship with Ningguang was such that such a small joke was harmless.

To be honest, he was quite curious about how Lord Tianquan would react.

This guy always seems to be weighing the pros and cons and prioritizing the big picture.

It's like wearing an elegant and sophisticated mask.

How will she react to this unexpected joke?

Xu Chuan thought to himself that it would probably be resolved as always.

But he hadn't expected how much the person in front of him valued him.

They also underestimated a self-made businesswoman.

Ningguang chuckled softly, a hint of slyness on her face.

“Permanent residency.” She nodded. “That’s not a wrong way to understand it.”

Xu Chuan's eyelids twitched, unsure how to respond.

"If only you could be here to oversee things."

Ningguang picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said casually, "Now I can finally get a good night's sleep."

"Cough cough..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan choked on his tea.

He was really just saying it casually, it was just a joke.

Unexpectedly, Ningguang readily admitted it.

These jade pavilions held unparalleled significance for her.

The aerial fortress she built with more than a decade of hard work is her pride.

Even Ningguang's secretary looked shocked.

Lady Ningguang is really not joking!

Throughout Liyue, very few people can ascend to the Jade Pavilion.

I have never seen anyone invited to stay at Qunyu Pavilion for so long, let alone a man.

Xu Chuan tentatively asked, "Is that really what you think?"

"That is indeed the case."

Ningguang put down her teacup, a perfectly timed look of doubt on her face. "Is this not to your liking?"

In short, he blocked all of Xu Chuan's escape routes.

At that moment, the situation reversed instantly.

The hunter became the prey.

Xu Chuan felt that even if he didn't bring it up...

The final outcome may not change much.

She would also use other methods and phrases to express the same meaning.

After a brief silence, Xu Chuan made one last probing attempt.

"Then I thank you very much for your kindness, Lady Ningguang."

Xu Chuan put down his teacup and said seriously, "However, I am a person who travels all over the world and never stays in one place for long."

“It’s alright.” Ningguang’s tone was nonchalant. “As I said before, the Jade Pavilion will always be open to you.”

Her face no longer held the shrewd calculation of gains and losses, but rather a rare sincerity.

Xu Chuan looked at her, without feigning refusal.

"In that case, I shall accept it without further ado."

Outside the window, twilight was deepening in Liyue Harbor.

The last rays of the setting sun sank behind the mountain ridge, turning the clouds on the horizon a deep purple.

One by one, the lights in the harbor came on, twinkling like stars, forming a continuous expanse.

Ningguang stood up and walked to the window.

"I've been quite busy these past few days."

With her back to Xu Chuan, her voice came from the window, sounding somewhat relaxed, "Now that we have some free time, let's celebrate your move into Qunyu Pavilion together."

She turned around, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

Xu Chuan suddenly had a feeling that he had been set up.

It's as if your every move has been anticipated by the other party.

Every step she took landed precisely on the lines she had drawn, neither too much nor too little.

The light of the heavens is so intense, it is terrifying.

At this point, Xu Chuan had no more worries.

Since you can't refuse, you might as well enjoy it.

The chefs at Qunyu Pavilion were indeed skilled, but the dish "Qiankun Mora Meat" seemed somewhat out of place.

There were also sea fish that Xu Chuan couldn't name, slices of animal meat arranged in the shape of flower petals, and a bowl of crystal-clear soup with a few emerald green leaves floating on the surface.

The dishes were exquisite, but Xu Chuan simply couldn't appreciate them.

He still prefers the simplicity of Wanmintang.

The two chatted as they ate, discussing everything from interesting tales about Liyue Harbor to the scenery of Mondstadt.

Even the situation between the seven kingdoms—no matter the topic, Xu Chuan seemed to be able to chat with her about it.

Perhaps because of the other party's special status, she didn't need to weigh anything when facing this guy.

It was as if she could confide everything to him.

Ningguang experienced a long-lost feeling of ease and comfort.

After a satisfying meal, Xu Chuan chose a room to stay in.

The room wasn't big, but it had an excellent view.

Pushing open the window, the entire Liyue Harbor comes into view, a tapestry of lights and twinkling stars.

In the distance, fishing lights flickered on the sea, like stars fallen from the sky into the ocean.

He leaned against the window, enjoying the night breeze, and looked at the city that never sleeps.

As night deepened, the lights in the Rebirth Hall remained on.

Walnut walked from the backyard to the front hall, from the front hall to the door, and then from the door back to the backyard.

I looked left and right, but I couldn't find the person I wanted to see.